Disorders of Potassium Metabolism

Abstract

Hypokalemia and potassium deficiency are frequently encountered, and their consequences are sufficiently serious to merit prompt and effective diagnosis and management. Potassium is lost from the gastrointestinal tract as a result of diarrhea, vomiting, and external drainage of various fluids; it is lost from the kidney in many disease entities and by the action of a large number of diuretics. In certain circumstances, hypokalemia appears in the absence of potassium depletion.